Hawaiian monk seal Kaiwi rests on the sand with her newborn pup at Kaimana Beach on Oahu. Photo courtesy Department of Land and Natural Resources

A 15-year-old Hawaiian monk seal named Kaiwi gave birth at sunset Sunday on Kaimana Beach on Oahu, prompting state wildlife officials to remind the public to maintain their distance with the critically endangered species.

The birth of the pup marks the fourth time Kaiwi, who was born on Oahu, has used the popular Waikiki beach for pupping since 2021. Kaiwi is the second Hawaiian monk seal to use Kaimana Beach for pupping after Rocky’s first documented birth at this site in 2017.

Officials from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are advising the public to stay at least 150 feet from the mother and her pup.

The nursing period typically lasts five to seven weeks. During that time, the pair will stay together while the pup nurses and gains the necessary strength to survive on its own.

Ocean users, especially swimmers and surfers, are being strongly advised to choose other locations for their activities during the nursing period to avoid unexpected and potentially dangerous encounters.

Mothers can be highly protective of their pups and aggressive toward people on land and in the water. In 2022, a swimmer at Kaimana Beach was seriously injured by a mother seal, sustaining lacerations to her face, back, and arm.

To manage the high volume of human and seal activity at the site, Hawaii Marine Animal Response has installed protective fencing to create a shoreline buffer.

Meanwhile, the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement will help maintain a 50-yard buffer in the water when resources allow.

Experts warned that human disturbance during this critical window for the seals can lead to “habituation,” causing them to lose their natural wariness of people, or may even cause a mother to abandon her pup.

Under the federal Endangered Species Act and state law, it is illegal to harass, feed or disturb Hawaiian monk seals. Violators may face criminal penalties or fines.

People can report sightings of Hawaiian monk seals to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.